Tall Sycamore Can Be Trimmed

In the Garden - Q&A

July 21, 2004

Question: We have a sycamore in our small back yard that has grown incredibly fast in only four years. It's now almost 30 feet tall and is brushing against our house. If I cut off the bottom branches, will that make the tree grow taller?

A.C.

DeBary

Answer: Whether you remove the lower branches or not, the tree will continue to grow fast, ultimately reaching a height of 60-plus feet. Unfortunately, sycamore was probably not the best choice for a small yard. You could keep the tree topped, but this does destroy its natural conical shape. Topping doesn't seem to bother this tree, as there are severely topped sycamores at Epcot that are getting on in years and doing fine.

Q: What do I have to do to the soil to have blue hydrangea? Living in Orange City, what zone am I in?

D.S.

Orange City

A: The answer to your first question is to acidify the soil with aluminum sulphate and this will turn most hydrangea blooms blue. There are some newer cultivars that stay either pink or white, regardless of the soil acidity. For question two, Orange City is in cold-hardiness Zone 9, as well as Zone 9 for the fairly new heat tolerance guide. Easy to remember -- Zone 9.

Q: My lawn on and around the raised drain field has irregular patches of purple crusty, dirt-like fungus. What is the cause, and what do I do to cure and prevent it?

J.G. Oak Hill

A: It sounds like a slime mold often found in nurseries that irrigate regularly. It's not a disease, but a harmless organism like a fungus growing on the soil surface. The best way to eradicate is to reduce the amount of water in that area and rake the area to loosen and dry the mold. You might want to have the soil pH checked to be sure it's correct for good grass growth. Avoid walking in that area after a rain, because you could slip and fall.

Q: I just received a bromeliad and want to keep it in my office. How do I care for this plant? I have an eastern exposure window.

A.G. Daytona Beach

A: What a wonderful office plant you now have! The eastern window is perfect, because most bromeliads like a shady location. These tough plants require little water and light and infrequent fertilizing. When you water, fill the "cup" of the plant up and slightly moisten the soil. A balanced diluted liquid fertilizer would be fine. The only downside to bromeliads is that many will die after flowering. The good news is that usually it will produce "pups" from the sides, which will overtake the mama plant as it starts to die. When dead, simply cut it out and let the "little guys" take over.